Watch Anna and the King

Anna and the King is a 1999 American film directed by Andy Tennant and starring Jodie Foster as Anna Leonowens, a widowed British schoolteacher who is hired to tutor the children of King Mongkut of Siam. The film is based on the same real-life characters and story that inspired the 1951 musical The King and I. Set in the 1860s, Anna and the King tells the story of Anna's arrival in Siam (modern-day Thailand), where she is immediately faced with cultural differences and challenges. The first impression she gets of King Mongkut (Chow Yun-Fat) is that he is a barbarian ruler with a harem of wives and a disregard for the rules of the British Empire. As Anna starts to teach the king's 58 children, however, she quickly learns that there is more to him than meets the eye. Mongkut is not only a political leader but also a scholar who is interested in Western knowledge and ideas. Anna soon realizes that she has much to learn from him as well.

Despite the cultural and language barriers, Anna and the King develop a deep respect for each other. The two characters engage in frequent debates about politics, religion, and morality, as well as their own personal beliefs and values. They are both strong-willed individuals who are not afraid to speak their minds, and their conversations are often witty and insightful.

As their relationship deepens, Anna and Mongkut begin to confront their own feelings of attraction for each other. This creates tension between them as they struggle to bridge the gap between their respective cultures and expectations. Anna is hesitant to break the rules of Victorian society and engage in a romantic relationship with the king, while Mongkut is torn between his respect for Anna and his own traditional beliefs about marriage and family.

The film also features a subplot involving the relationship between Mongkut's youngest wife Tuptim (Bai Ling) and a Burmese rebel named Lun Tha (Tom Felton). Their love is forbidden, and they risk their lives in order to be together. As Anna tries to help Tuptim and Lun Tha, she realizes that her own views on love and relationships are being challenged.

Anna and the King is a visually stunning film that draws its audience into the world of 19th century Siam. The costumes and sets are elaborate and colorful, and the landscapes and cities are breathtaking. The film also features intricate choreography and music, which adds to the exotic atmosphere of Siam.

Overall, Anna and the King is a captivating story that combines politics, romance, and culture clashes. The performances by Jodie Foster, Chow Yun-Fat, and Bai Ling are outstanding, and the film does an excellent job of portraying both the beauty and the complexities of life in Siam during this period.

Anna and the King is a 1999 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 56.